Disclaimer: I do not own the concept, commercialization, or copyright of Pokémon. Nintendo, Gamefreak and perhaps others I am unaware of, do. I do, however, own a couple of the games and several of the collectable figures. Those subjects in this story that I do own include but are not limited to; Leena Adi, Kenda, Nax, the concept of the Elemental shift, and Flint Redlen.

Warning: Some violence, but no more than you might expect from a fanfic based upon a game whose core feature is turn based combat.

Notes: This story takes place a week after Leena arrives in Pewter City after escaping the Rocket compound. As was noted last time, this fanfiction is based off the games not the show. If you've got any questions and/or comments, e-mail me at Randelm@hotmail.com.

One Thing Leads to Another

The life of a Trainer is never boring

Leena faced her opponent across the gym floor, the belt containing her weapons was not securely around her waist and made for something of an uncomfortable absence. Slung on her back was her backpack containing a few healing potions, the only legal equipment in the bout. At her side, Kenda, her eevee, sat waiting. Nax, her machop sat lotus style behind her, waiting his turn. Taking a deep breath, she signaled her readiness.

"This is a two pokemon match, when all of a trainer's pokemon are defeated, they loose the match. This is a badge match. Introducing first, trying for her first badge, Leena Adi." The announcer's voice echoed through the sparsely filled gym stands, to scattered applause. Leena had spent the past week in Pewter City awaiting her chance to try for the Boulder Badge. As this was her first try and she was an unknown, it made sense that not many people had shown up.

"And introducing the Pewter City Gym Leader, Flint Redlen!" The applause was definitely more enthusiastic for the town's Gym leader. "On the count of three, begin the battle. One… Two… Three!"

"Geodude, go!" shouted Flint. The Gym Leader threw a pokéball into the air and with a flash, a grey boulder sporting muscled arms and a focused expression appeared.

::This is gonna be tough, Kenda, Rock types are hard to hurt with normal attacks… sure you wanna go first?:: Leena asked her companion.

::Absolutely, no problem.:: While Kenda's confidence was endearing, it did worry Leena some.

::Alright, hit and run tactics, don't try to face this guy down.:: The conversation had taken not more than half a second and as the geodude charged her position, Leena reacted. "Kenda! I choose you!" Flinging her arm out at a fifteen-degree angle to the horizon and pointing, she sent a mental command to her pokémon. The small brown furred eevee shot through the air avoiding the geodude's clumsy charge.

For the next several minutes Kenda sped from place to place avoiding the attacks aimed her way and striking her enemy whenever she could. The boulder monster, while not heavily damaged, was obviously irritated. Suddenly, in a move surprisingly quick for a creature mad of rock, it sprang forward and gripped Kenda in one rough hand.

"The eevee has finally been caught by Flint's geodude. It's obvious that Miss Adi made a poor decision in choosing monsters, it was only a matter of time…"

Leena ignored the announcer and concentrated on her friend. ::Kenda! Hang on!::

::Power, Leena… I need power…::

The young trainer focused and began feeding the eevee power. Though she had her eyes closed, she witnessed the entire spectacle that took place on the gym floor. Kenda began to glow faintly and then the glow flashed into a blinding brilliance that caused the geodude to let go. When all could see again, a slick, finely furred, blue quadruped stood facing a wary geodude. Kenda sat sedately, cleaning her right forepaw.

"My goodness folks! That eevee has just transformed into a vaporeon without the benefit of a waterstone and in the middle of battle! This is amazing, apparently Miss Adi knew what she was doing after all…" The announcer's voice was excited, as were the voices of those making up the minimal crowd.

::Kenda?::

::The one and only.:: affirmed the vaporeon. The mind voice was definitely recognizable as Kenda's but there was a slight overtone, a layer of cool, calculating confidence.

::But… how?::

::We can discuss that later, my friend, now we need to concentrate on winning this duel.::

Taking advantage of Flint's confusion and his monster's inactivity, Leena began shouting commands. "Acid Armor!" A shimmering liquid flowed from Kenda and quickly surrounded her then disappeared leaving an invisible skintight armor.

"Rock Throw!" Flint had recovered and the geodude began flinging melon-sized rocks at Kenda. The vaporeon dodged, but slower than she should have, despite the transformation, she was still tired, and hurt from the geodude's crushing grip.

"Waterfall!" Kenda closed her eyes, her form shimmered and then she leapt into the air. In the wake of her leap a shimmering sheet of water appeared and rushed towards the geodude who was to slow to dodge. Landing lightly on her feet, Kenda turned to face her opponent and again sat down, feigning indifference.

::We've almost got him, Leena,:: even Kenda's mind voice was tired.

::You're doin great Kenda, hang in there.::

Again Flint's monster began to throw rocky projectiles at Kenda. This time, she didn't move fast enough. One of the rocks struck her in the chest. Her invisible armor shimmered through the spectrum and the rock bounced to he floor half eaten away by the acid, but the vaporeon was still pushed back. As the geodude moved in for another attack, Kenda countered with an incredible blast of water that threw the bolder monster to the feet of his trainer.

Gently, Flint bent and began examining his monster, then signaled to the officials.

"Flint's geodude has been defeated. One point to Leena Adi," came the announcement. The crowd applauded, and Leena smiled. Her smile faded however, as Flint announced his next pokémon.

"Onix! Go!" The large, snakelike rock monster towered several feet over all others in the room and Leena and Kneda stared up at it in awe and not a little bit of fear.

::I can still win,:: announced Kenda suddenly. ::I'm water, he's rock, I can beat him.::

::I don't think so,:: countered Leena.

::What? Why not?::

::Kenda, you're too drained, I'm taking you out.::

::No, you can't do that!:: the calm that Kenda had acquired upon change into a vaporeon wavered a bit.

::I'm sorry, but I don't want you hurt. A badge isn't worth it.::

::You know Leena is right, Little One,:: added Nax, ::You wouldn't last one attack.::

Kenda visibly sighed, but nodded her acceptance as Leena stepped forward before the onix could attack. The crowd's confusion turned to an appreciative applause as Kenda conceded the field awarding Flint a point and Nax took her place. Glancing at her opponent, Leena thought she caught a smile of approval.

Nax took to the fight with great energy, catching the onix off guard a bit with the seemingly wild Willtai style and scoring several hits before the other could retaliate. The onix thrust its head forward ::Flash Kick!:: and Nax caught him with the back flip maneuver.

Sensing that Flint had caught on to her machop's proficiency in the Willtai style, Leena issued a silent command to switch to the much more efficient and orderly Ryuken style. Again thrown off by the switch, the onix over anticipated and opened himself up for a strong Ki Bolt.

Leena wiped sweat from her forehead. She was beginning to tire and felt that Nax was as well. Having used two of his most powerful attacks had drained them both. Again the onix lashed out and this time he sent the machop sprawling.

Leena reached into her backpack to retrieve a healing potion, but Nax's mental voice stopped her.

::Save them, Leena. Save them for when we'll really need them. This battle is lost.::

Sighing her frustration, Leena signaled a yield and Flint recalled his onix back to his pokéball.

"At a score of two to one, Flint wins!" The small crowd was on its feet applauding a well fought battle, and after a few minutes, began to file onto the gym to give their congratulations and to begin training for the day.

Leena helped Nax to his feet and turned to pick up Kenda. As the vaporeon leaped into Leena's arms, she shimmered and was once again an eevee. Before she could question the furry creature, she heard Flint clear his throat behind her. Turning, she found the Rock Trainer had his hand extended. Leena fumbled for a bit, but both arms were full with Kenda. Giving a sheepish grin, she bowed instead.

Flint smiled and bowed as well. "Well fought, Trainer Leena. I must say, I've never seen or even heard of an eevee changing the way yours just did. I'm curious to know how she managed to do that."

"Actually, so am I," replied Leena with a short laugh. Glancing down at the subject of the conversation she saw that Kenda had fallen asleep.

"Well, I suppose we'll both have to wait for answers," Flint laughed good-naturedly. "And you," the Gym Leader turned to Nax, "I'm impressed with your knowledge of the Willtai and Ryuken styles. You, my friend, have more flexibility in your style than most fighting pokémon I know." Nax bowed modestly at the complement.

Flint backed up a pace and looked the three over. "Practice hard, do what you've been doing, and you'll go far. Waiting period between Badge bouts is two months. I expect to see you again." And with that he turned and left.

~*~

Two days later, Leena found herself traveling south, away from Pewter City. She was once again in forest, but a light forest that allowed plenty of sunlight to reach the floor. Though the trip for Leena and her two companions was technically silent, it was far from conversation-less.

::So what you're telling me is that you didn't know you could do it, but you know how?:: Leena was making sure she had the story straight.

::That's right, it just takes a lot of energy.:: For once, Kenda was not scampering about the road at whatever caught her attention, and was instead trotting by Leena's side, perfectly serious.

::And you can transform into any of the Eevee-loutions?::

::Well… I think so. I guess we won't really know until we try.::

"Hmm…" Leena mused aloud, ::Tonight then, we could try tonight during the training exercises, yes?::

::Sounds good to me.:: And then the eevee succumbed to temptation and scampered off after piece of leaf that had been caught on the wind.

Leena watched her, still deep in though when Nax intruded upon her musings. ::Why didn't you tell Flint about Myotis, and about trapping him in a pokéball?::

Taken a bit aback, Leena blinked and thought for a moment before she responded. ::Do you really think he would have believed me? 'A Dark Master captured me and my pokémon and he says that he's part of Team Rocket, but I trapped him in a pokéball and got away.' Sounds farfetched even to me.::

::Those who attain rank of Gym Leader tend to have an accepting frame of mind.::

::Perhaps…:: For a while neither said anything, watching Kenda deftly climbing a tree in order to inspect a ripe red berry.

After a while, Nax spoke again, ::Why do you still carry it, Leena?::

Clamping down on her acerbic retort, Leena decided to play innocent instead. ::What are you talking about?::

::You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't forget that it's much more difficult to lie mind to mind.::

::I wasn't lying… just avoiding the question.:: Nax simply looked at her as the walked side by side. ::Alright, alright… I carry it because it makes me feel safe.::

::You've got me, Kenda and your own training in the martial arts, what do you need that pistol for?::

::It's rough out her, I want every advantage I can get. Besides, martial arts aren't everything…::

::Any fool can pull a trigger, Leena. Martial arts takes discipline and training.::

::Gunfighting is an art too. Come on Nax, you read up on it with me at the Pewter Library. Quick Draw, Gunslinging, The Fall, positioning, aim, wind…::

Their argument was cut short by sounds of metal scraping on metal and guttural shouts. Leena stopped suddenly as did Kenda who was still in lower tree branches and Nax by her side. With a simple thought it was agreed to check on the situation. Leena patted the slight bulge at the small of her back that was the holstered gun, then drew her tonfa and began her careful way through the spaced trees, Nax off to her left and Kenda above her in the cover of the foliage.

At a break in the trees, the three found the cause of the disturbance. Two insectoid creatures were dueling in the tall grass. The shorter of the two, a green creature with two scythe like arms, leapt into the air, leaving a trail of images and projecting images forward, making it impossible to tell which was the real one. As it came down, it swung its scythe like arms at its taller red opponent.

Somehow the red creature was able to tell which of the images was its real enemy and just before it would have been decapitated, it leapt backwards. The illusory images of the green one dissolved and the red one snapped its two scissor like claws weaving them back and forth, almost making it appear to have three heads due to the black and yellow markings on the pincers.

"My goodness…" muttered Leena as she watched the two creatures dueling. Moving carefully so as not to disturb the creatures, Leena drew here pokédex and pointed it at the green creature.

Scyther

Number: 123

Type: Bug/Flying

Species: Mantis

Height: 4' 11"

Weight: 123 lbs

With ninja-like agility and speed, it can create the illusion that there is more than one of it. It slashes through grass with its sharp scythes, moving too fast for the human eye to track. When it moves, it leaves only a blur. If it hides in grass, its protective colors make it invisible.

Taking a moment to scan the information, Leena then turned the device to the red one.

Scizor

Number: 212

Type: Bug/Steel

Species: Scissors

Height: 5' 11"

Weight: 260 lbs

It swings its eye-patterned pincers up to scare its foes. This makes it look like it has three heads. Its wings are not used for flying. They are flapped at high speed to adjust its body temperature.

::Are you going to try to capture them, Leena,:: asked Nax in his rumbling mind voice.

::Of course she is,:: replied Kenda in a mock condescending tone, ::Good as I am, she still needs more pokémon. After all she got you didn't she?::

Ignoring Kenda's rib, Nax directed his comment to Leena, ::Yes, I suppose you do need to fill out your ranks a bit more considering you've got such an egomaniac quadruped with you.::

There was a soft mental growling in response answered by Nax's deep chuckle. Smiling slightly, Leena reached into her backpack and removed to pokéballs. ::Alright guys, they've been fighting each other for a while now, so they should be worn out and unable to escaped the pokéballs, but I'll need you to be ready in case I need back up.:: Receiving agreement from the two of them, Leena stalked as best she could towards the creatures.

The scizor seemed to have gained the advantage in the battle and thrust with his left pincer, cracking the chest of the scyther's exoskeleton a bit and knocking the green insect to the ground. Just as the scizor was about to thrust again, Leena leapt with a shout from where she'd been hiding only three feet away. Startled, the scizor took a step back, staring at Leena in confusion. Wasting no time, Leena flung a pokéball at the pokémon, and then immediately at the scyther still on the ground.

Two bright flashes of light later, the insectoid pokémon were gone and in there place were two red and white spheres that wobbled a bit before coming to rest.

"Yes!" Leena broke the sudden silence of the forest and quickly scooped up the captured pokémon.

::Congratulations Leena, a well thought out double catch,:: commended Nax.

::Yeah, way to go, Leena!:: added Kenda.

That evening, after dinner, Leena decided to try and talk with her new pokémon. Standing in a clear space next to the road, she released the pokémon from their pokéballs. The two bipedal insectoids appeared facing her.

"Hello," she greeted them verbally, "My name is Leena…" Before she could get any farther, the two turned to each other and immediately began fighting. The scyther had gotten its left scythe hooked into the scizor's back and was fiercely slashing with the other, while the scizor was snapping with both pincers at the scyther's torso. Panicked, Leena could only stare.

::Order them to stop!:: Nax's mind voice shouted at her, jarring her from her inactivity, :: They are not powerful enough to ignore a direct command from their Trainer!::

"Stop!" Leena shouted, "I order you to stop fighting each other immediately!"

Instantly the two froze and slowly disentangled themselves. Both were obviously fairly badly injured. Leena used her pokédex to assess their injuries further. Several cuts, incredibly battered, and exhausted.

Sighing in exasperation, Leena began digging through her backpack looking for the healing potions she'd saved on Nax's advice. Retrieving the vials, Leena straightened and turned back to the creatures who were glaring at each other.

"Now, I'm going to have each of you drink one of these potions and then were are going to sit and talk like civilized beings. Understood?"

The two nodded grudgingly and Leena handed out the vials, which the two downed quickly. They soon began to look better as the pseudo magic went to work putting them back together.

"Sit," Leena ordered and the two sat, looking directly at her, now ignoring each other. Leena sat as well and Kenda quickly lay in her lap. Nax stood behind Leena and slightly to her right, his arms crossed, his small stature countered by the deep scowl in his expression.

"As I was saying before I was interrupted, my name is Leena. This," she indicated the eevee snuggled in her lap, "Is Kenda, and the machop behind me, is Nax." Leena paused for a bit but received no response, verbal or otherwise. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "As should be obvious, I am a pokémon Trainer. I wish to be friend as well as your trainer if you'll let me."

The sun was finally below the horizon and the sky was quickly darkening from blue to purple and then to black speckled with points of light. The campfire crackled merrily. Leena waited several moments for a response. Receiving none, she pursed her lips and said, "I see. Well then, I am going to sleep, I suggest you two do the same, we've a long day of training ahead of us. And no fighting, if either of you cause any trouble, I'll put you back in the pokéballs."

::Nax, you got first watch?::

::No problem Leena.::

And the young trainer went to sleep, plans for the next day running through her head.

~*~

Nax and Leena greeted the morning sun with a simple kata, bowing to the east as the first rays touched the clearing next to the road where they'd made camp. Kenda watched them as she always did, while doing her own stretches and limbering up for the promised 'long day of training'.

::Alright, Nax, I want you to find out what kind of fighting these two know and begin running them through the hardest kata you know. Be strict. Kenda, you and I are gonna experiment with your changing abilities as we didn't get to it last night. Alright?::

::Sounds good,:: replied Kenda. Nax merely nodded.

The scyther and scizor had begun to wake and both stood as Leena approached. "Good morning. First for today, Nax here is going to feel you out, find out what you know and what you need to work on. You will obey him as you would me, understood?" The two nodded and Nax stepped forward to take charge of the training session.

Leena turned her attention to Kenda. ::Alright, we know you can change into a vaporeon, shall we start with that?::

::Yeah, I think it would be easiest to start with something I've already done.::

Leena and Kenda sat on the soft grass facing each other. Closing her eyes, Leena reached out mentally to her friend. Leena could feel Kenda reaching for her as well and after only a moment, the two were linked. All that could be seen was darkness, all that could be felt was nothing. And then, a spot of light, a blue light that grew steadily larger until it engulfed the void.

::The life bringer, the beginning of all that is. A clear cool place resplendent with the life that it bears, gleaming with light in the upper reaches. Down, down through the layers. Dark and cold, and yet still there is life, an energy of anticipation. Back to the light and along the surface to where the cold gets colder, almost too cold to breath… and still, there is life. Air begins to move, move fast, the blue turns dark and mixes with gray, light flashes, sound rumbles, air howls. When it is over, there is still the life bringer. There will always be the life bringer. Drop by drop by drop by precious drop. Placid or Angry, falling or flying. Always the life bringer.::

They felt the energy building in them, slowly at first, then building quickly until there was no choice but to focus it.

Leena felt a cool breeze and a slight mist wash over her. Opening her eyes, she found Kenda, again in the form of a vaporeon. The white frill like mantel between her sharp ears, the thin layer of smooth slick blue fur, the glossy black eyes, all glistened and sparkled in the sun.

Leena tried to speak and had to swallow before she could make her voice work. "Kenda?" she asked aloud. "You all right?"

::I am fine Leena. This is a most interesting experience.:: Again, Kenda's voice had taken on a calmer mannerism.

Looking around, Leena found the scyther and scizor sparing. What was supposed to be practice looked a bit too rough for Leena's tastes, but Nax was right there acting as referee, and even though Nax was a full two feet shorter than either of them, Leena trusted Nax's judgment in such things.

::How is it going?:: Leena sent to Nax.

::Slowly.:: And then Nax's attention was taken up by separating the two combatants as they got too rough.

::Well then,:: Leena turned back to Kenda, ::What shall we try next?::

::Electricity.:: the vaporeon responded immediately.

Leena nodded as Kenda closed her eyes, the air around Kenda wavered for a moment and then she was again an eevee.

::Ready?:: asked Leena. Kenda nodded and again the two reached for each other, caught hold, and held on.

The nothingness surrounded them. Despite all that is, was, and will be, this is a constant. Nothing is constant. And then, in a flash of light, a sound perceived only in the innermost of one's self, nothing was chased away, and something replaced it.

::Energy. All is Energy— matter, emotion, action, inaction, life. A place where the air is thin, but charged, in bursts, seemingly random, but planned for spontaneity, flashes of energy bring new light, new brilliance to what is happening. In the dark soothing grayness, again energy gathers, and in its most popular form. Striking again and again, seen before it's heard, flashing and rumbling. Always there is energy, whether it acts or waits, sparking others to act, creating the first licking red heat that reaches for the stars and yet never shall it touch. Energy is all and all is energy.::

The smell of ozone, the feel of the hair on her neck and arms rising… Leena opened her eyes. Before her sat a creature with long dark yellow fur that pulled together in points by the electricity that arced across its body. The white ruff around its neck was likewise gathered in points. Its muzzle was slightly longer, its entire body built in a manner that suggest speed and movement, but altered only slightly from its original, smaller brown form. Her eyes were open only a few moments when they were snapped shut against her will.

Somewhat panicked, Leena reached for her friend, but was unable to move physically. ::Kenda? Are you alright?::

::I am, what about you Leena?::

::I think I'm getting scared. Can we stop this?::

::I don't think so, I've already tried.:: This time, her voice was faster than normal, charged.

Leena forced her eyes open again, taking in the facts that the sun was setting on her right, someone had built a fire to her left and she and Kenda were in the positions they had started in this morning. Again Leena's eyes were snapped shut and all she could feel was the warmth of the fire on her left. The fire, there was nothing but the fire.

::At once the provider and the destroyer. Heat, warmth, pain, passion. Heat is central to creation. Warmth is central to comfort. Pain is central to life. Passion is central to life. Red heat, burning, licking, crackling, consuming. Always consuming. Casting shadows on the wall. What is wild cannot be tamed entirely, for in its heart it is always wild. Wild to see what is, be what is. Caught up in the heat of the moment, that which is, eventually is not. Deep in the earth, where live the crystals creatures covet and such crystals can be squeezed for their juices and pared like delicacies, the heat makes solids, molten. Here, all runs with the warmth and passion of life.::

Before her sat a creature, red of fur, light orange cream of mantel, her tail flared behind her upon the ground and heat rising from her making the night air waver. The campfire had gone out, but somewhere, there was a presence, more than one who watched over her and her friend. The only light came from the moon straight overhead. The moon, there was only the moon and darkness.

::In the shadows, the moving shadows. You whish to know what is constant? Lightlessness is constant. The comfort of the shadow as it hides you from that which would destroy you. The shadow is not the evilness, nor the goodness nor even the balance of the heart or the mind or the soul. It simply is. In the place without light much goes on that is not known and what is not know is feared. Is always feared. It is in the shadows of the mind that creativity can take off, and create much that was never conceived because it was unknown and feared. There is much life in the shadow. The shadows, always moving, always present, always feared.::

One full rotation— light was rising to her left and yet all she could see was the black-coated creature before her. Red eyes gleamed in that dark face covered with short thin, slick fur. The yellow marks upon the black body glowed with an eerie light. The light of the sun.

::The light of the mind and that which the mind brings to the light. The mind is all, without the mind, nothing could be that was independent. Without that which is independent, nothing changes, and without change, all dies. The power of the mind is strong, stronger than the power of the flesh. With the mind, creatures lived longer by bringing the moisture to them instead of waiting for it, by creating the heat, harnessing the energy, exploring the shadows. All interacts, and the mind controls it all. Nothing is constant? All is constant, and behind it all is the power of the mind.::

In her mind's eye sat a feline creature with a divided tail, a gem set in her forehead, coated in dark purple fur. Her eyes were bright, as though they carried the sun.

Leena gasped, her eyes flying open. The day was bright and cloudless. Before her, Kenda was sitting, staring at her. Leena tried to stand but found her muscles to cramped to move and somewhere distant, she cried out in pain. The pain caused a grayish brown fuzz to invade her vision. When she was again aware of her surroundings, she was laying on her blanket, someone was massaging her tortured muscles, slowly allowing her to relax, and snuggled up next to her was a small brown furred creature, sleeping contentedly. After only a few moments, Leena followed Kenda's example and fell to sleep.

~*~

When Leena finally awoke, it was a new morning. She was dressed in only the shorts and light shirt she normally wore to bed and covered by her blanket. Nearby she could hear the sounds of something cooking soon accompanied by the smells. Sitting up and looking around, she saw Nax watching over the cooking bread and vegetables while Kenda watched the scizor and scyther performing kata.

As soon as Nax saw Leena was awake, he piled some food on a plate and brought it to her.

::How do you feel, Leena?:: he asked, concern evident in his voice.

::Hungry,:: she replied. As she began shoveling the food into her mouth, she became thankful of the ability to converse without physical speech. ::How long was out?::

::You and Kenda began meditating two days ago. You collapsed yesterday afternoon. Kenda woke up about an hour before you did this morning. I watched her transform… it was truly amazing.::

Leena nodded conveying without words her agreement and showing Nax what it was like. Finishing her food slower than she had started, Kenda changed subjects. ::So, what are they like?:: she asked, indicating he insectoids.

::I haven't been able to get a whole lot out of them. At one time, they were good friends, perhaps even lovers,:: Leena raised an eyebrow slightly at this, ::but they began fighting trying to prove which was better. Then she transformed into a scizor and he felt betrayed. Now they fight to hurt each other. They seemed to have calmed a bi,t though they still dislike each other.::

::What about how they fight?::

::It's a style I know but haven't mastered, called Kensae. Kensae is centered around blade combat, they are quite proficient.::

::Have they said anything about me?::

Nax's brows drew together a bit and he scratched the middle of the three ridges on his head. ::At first, they seemed to thoroughly dislike you and had absolutely no respect. They said you had no signs of being even a mediocre Trainer.::

::You mean badges?::

::Exactly. However, after your session with Kenda, I think they're a bit more impressed. Though they still don't seem to like you.::

Leena sighed, ::Has everyone eaten?::

::Yes.::

::Alright, let me get dressed and then round everyone up, today, we travel.::

In short order, Leena had her equipment gathered and stowed in her pack, as her monsters did whatever it was they needed to do in order to be ready to leave the campsite.

::Mornin, Leena,:: greeted Kenda.

::Good morning, Kenda. How are you feeling?::

::Pretty good actually, I think it's gonna be a lot easier to Shift now.::

Leena nodded and approached her newest monsters. "Good morning," she greeted them. They nodded at her but didn't respond otherwise. Sighing, she checked to make sure everyone was ready, then checked on her weapons, the tonfa at either hip and pistol at her back, then began walking down the road.

Nax immediately took point as usual with Kenda in the treetops and the scizor behind and slightly to her right, the scyther disappeared into the trees ahead of them in scout position.

Somewhat surprised at their taking up positions, Leena cocked her head at the scizor, though got no response. ::Nax, did you tell them what positions to take?::

::No, when I informed them that they would be walking and not riding in pokéballs, they told me what positions they wanted to take.:: he gave a mental shrug, ::At least they're getting into the swing of things.::

After about an hour of traveling, Leena was addressed by a hissing mind voice that was unfamiliar though she knew instantly who it was. ::Trainer Leena, another Trainer approaches. Shall I return?::

::Yes, Scyther, please return. Has he seen you, does he have any badges?::

::Of course he hasn't seen me.:: The Scyther seemed affronted at the question. ::And he has one badge, sign of the Cascade.::

::Alright, everyone. Be ready for a battle. Scyther, how far away is he?::

As the green insectoid flew into view, the rest of them stopped and began to prepare for a battle. ::He will be here in a few moments.::

::Alright,:: said Leena, ::here's how we're gonna do this…::

Leena sat against a tree near the side of the road, Kenda sitting in her lap. Nax leaned against another tree while Scizor sat on a low tree limb and in easy sight. Scyther sat very still in a patch of tall grass, becoming nearly invisible. All affected an air of relaxation and indifference to what might be going on in the world at large. When the trainer, who was at least three years Leena's senior, appeared through the trees on the road, he found, much to his surprise, a girl who seemed to be relaxing with pokémon.

Showing some sense, he approached cautiously until he was within comfortable speaking distance with Leena. "Um… hello?"

Opening her eyes, Leena regarded the young man, then closed her eyes again. "Hello."

"Hey, look at me when I'm talking to you, girl. I'm a respected trainer with a badge and everything. Have you got a badge?"

Keeping her eyes closed, Leena responded lazily. "No, I haven't got a badge. So, you're a respected trainer, are you?" She could feel the amusement of her pokémon as the young man puffed his chest out a bit.

"Of course I am, name's Jonathon Elliot."

"Pleased to meet you," responded Leena, her eyes still closed.

For a while Jonathon just stared, confused. Finally he spoke again. "Are these your pokémon?"

Leena opened her eyes glancing around at where her monsters were sitting. "These are my friends, yes."

"Well all right then, let's battle!" the boy's voice took on an excited tone that made him sound younger than he was.

Carefully nudging Kenda off her lap, Leena stood and drew her tonfa, whirling them about expertly and then taking an offensive stance and looked to the boy who quickly began to back away.

"Hey, what are you doing?" he shouted nervously.

Feigning confusion Leena dropped the stance and stood straighter. "I'm sorry, I thought you said you wanted to battle."

"Not you! My pokémon against yours."

"Oh… I see." Leena reholstered her tonfa as hissing laughter emanated from the clump of grass that Scyther had been concealed in. This was enough to make the boy jump and back away further. "Alright then, I accept, my four against…" she trailed off waiting for him to declare the number of pokémon he'd be using.

"No way, I've changed my mind, I don't want to battle you!" The boy looked about to bolt.

"You initiated a challenge and now you're going back on it? Do you want it know that Jonathon Elliot is a coward?" The challenge was obvious in Leena's voice.

"I'm no coward. Alright, girl, your four against my four."

As her monsters lined up behind her, and began stretching out, Leena had a quick mental discussion on order, then nodded to her opponent.

It was a quick battle. The boy was so shaken up that he fumbled his commands and confused his pokémon. Kenda was first and quickly trounced a rattata, with a few hit and run tactics. The Scizor did a number on the kid's spearow, and Scyther took on a caterpie no problem. Finally, Nax faced off against a sandshrew. The machop blocked all attacks against him and finished the combat with a ki bolt.

"Well, Jonathon, nice match." Leena stepped forward and shook the dejected boy's hand.

"You're pretty good… what's your name?"

"Leena, Leena Adi."

Jonathon smiled. See ya around, Leena. And with that he continued down the road.

::Not bad, Tainer Leena,:: said Scizor, ::Continue like that and you'll really make a name for yourself.::

Leena smiled and bowed to the compliment. ::I'd say that counts as the day's training,:: she said ::Let's see if we can't get to Viridin city before night fall.::

As the five continued to journey down the road, a figure cloaked from sight watched them narrowly. She was strong this Trainer, and she was recruiting strong pokémon. She'd make an excellent addition to the team. And if she refused to join, she certainly couldn't be allowed to live. No, she was much too powerful to be allowed to live if she wasn't working for the right side.